Heat resisting upwardly opening safe



Nov. 7, 1933. w. C. MlLLER 1,934,272

HEAT RESISTING UPWARDLY OPENING SAFE Filed May 16, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet lguus 1 YQ@ Milli/ffl TMI/W C'l'kenunfa,

Nov. 7, 1933. w` c. MILLER \HEAT RESISTING UPWARDLY OPENING SAFE FiledMay 16, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 7, 1933. w c. MILLER HEAT RESISTINGUPWARDLY OPENING SAFE Filed May 16, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 hwf) gvwwozWilliam IMI/1' Nov. 7, 1933. w. c. MILLER HEAT RESISTINGv UPWARDLYOPENING SAFE 6 SheetS-Sheet 5 Filed May 16, 1950 memtq/o Wil/iam (f/171WNov. 7, 1933. w. c. MILLER HEAT RESISTING UPWARDLY OPENING SAFE FiledMay 16, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Figs Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED sTArssHEAT RESISTING UPWARDLY OPENING SAFE William C. Miller, Canton, Ohio,assignor to The Diebold Safe & Lock Company, Canton, Ohio, a.corporation of Ohio Application May 16, 1930. Serial No. 453,0"77V 5claims. (c1. 45-2) My invention relates to safes, and more particularlyto safes made of sheet metal and heat resisting material, and adaptedfor the protection of valuables, documents, records, and the 5 like,against the usual hazards, and particularly against the hazards of res,explosions, and of combined fires and explosions.

In the case of such a safe for use in a bank and the like for the nightstorage of customers l ledger cards or other records in constant dailyuse, it has been the usual practice to use for the safe a side openingdoor hung on hinges for swinging about a vertical axis, in order tosafely and easily carry the mass of the door, which is l necessarily ofconsiderable magnitude in order to provide resistance against heat forthe desired length of time which may be two hours and sometimes four ormore hours.

For convenient use in conjunction with adding 2O machines, the customersledger cards are usually contained in trays, and it has been necessaryto bodily lift the trays, from a safe with a side opening door, to asuitable table, or to provide carriages for the trays which may be movedin and out of the safe or vault.

This necessity for moving and handling the trays of ledger cards at thebeginning and end of each business day consumes considerable time thatmight other be spent by the bookkeepers for productive purposes.

For some time the desirability has been recognized of a heat resistingsafe having an upwardly opening door, so that the ledger cards and thelike may be stored directly therein, and an adding machine positionednear the safe, whereby the bookkeeper may use the ledger cards duringbusiness hours without removing the trays or cards from the safe, andwhereby all that is necessary in order to make the cards available 40for use is to open the safe door, and all that is necessary to protectthe cards from the aforesaid hazards is to close the safe door.

0n the other hand, due to the magnitude of the mass of a safe and itsdoor having resistance against the foregoing hazards forthe properlength of time, it has not heretofore'been considered feasible orpossible to make an upwardl opening heat resisting safe. Y

The objects cf the present improvements include the provision of a safeadapted for protect'- ing the contents thereof particularly from thehazard of heat, and including walls forming a protective compartmententrance to which is effected through an upwardly opening doorway havingan upwardly opening door therefor.

Other objects of the improvements include the provision, in such a heatresisting-upwardly opening safe, of novel means for counterbalancing thedoor.

Other objects of the improvements include the provision of novel meansautomatically raising and lowering a supporting frame Within the safecompartment when the door is raised and lowered.

These and ancillary objects are attained by the structures, apparatus,`parts, improvements, and combinations, which comprise the presentinvention, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and setforth in the appended claims forming part hereof.' 70` In general 'termsthe improved safe includes heat resisting walls forming a protectivecompartment, one of the walls facing upwardly and having an upwardlyopening doorway formed therein, a door frame preferably tting in thedoorway, a door preferably hinge mounted at one side upon the frame andswinging upwards and downwards from and to closing position in the doorframe, a counterbalance for the door operatively mounted preferably oneach end wall of the safe and gear 80Y and lever connected with thedoor, a supporting frame within the compartment, a mechanism preferablyremovably carried within the compartment for raising and lowering thesupporting frame, andthe raising and lowering mechanism 85 preferablyincluding a plurality of successively operating motor means which may bein the form of 'a plurality of successively energized and deenergizingsprings, and means operated by raising and lowering of the door foractuating and rais- 490 ing and lowering mechanism to raise and lowerthe frame.

Preferred embodiments of the improvements are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which A 95 Figure 1 is afragmentary front elevation with portions in section of one embodimentof the improved heat resisting safe hereof, the upwardly opening doorbeing illustrated in the closed posi- Fig. 5, a top plan view thereofwith the door in the closed position;

Fig. 6, a horizontal sectional view thereof as on line 6 6, Figs. 2 and4, with the frame and supported trays removed;

Fig. 7, a transverse sectional view thereof, illustrating the novelcounterbalancing mechanism, as on line 7 7, Figs. 1 and 5;

Fig. 8, a transverse sectional view thereof illustrating the novelccunterbalancing mechanism, as on line 8 8, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9, an isometric View of a modied embodiment of the improved safehereof, illustrated in the open position.

Similar numerals refer to throughout the several views.

The improved safe indicated generally at 10, includes panels forming afive-walled upwardly opening inner compartment indicated generally atl1, a five-walled monolithic heat and fire resisting shell indicatedgenerally at 12, the shell being provided with tension reinforcing meansindicated generally at 13, and thecompartment similar parts and shellbeing enclosed in an external five-walledV interlocking case indicatedgenerally at 14. All ofv the five-walled members preferably comprisefive sides of six sided preferably rectangular polyhedrons, the sixthupper sides of which are open.

A door frame indicated generally at V15 connects the opening of theinner compartment 11 with the opening of the outer case 14, and forms aclosure for the outer end of the monolithic shell 12.v

A door indicated generally at 16 is mounted at one side by hinges 17 and17 upon the outer case, and provides an upwardly and downwardly swingingclosure fitting in the open upper sixth sides of the case andcompartment.

The door 16 preferably includes an outer shell 18 of formed metalsheets, the interior of which is filled with heat resisting material 19and tension reinforcing 20.

The upper side of thesafe is preferably hori- -zontal and is preferablylocated at what is known asV counter-height, and the safe is preferablysupported in this position as by means of corner angle posts 21.

One novel counterbalancing mechanism for the door, indicated generallyat 22, is operatively mounted at one en d of the safe, preferably withinan enclosure indicated generally at 23.

Similarly, another novel counterbalancing mechanism for the door,indicated generally at 22', is operatively mounted at the other end ofthe safe, preferably within an enclosure indicated generally at 23. d

Within the compartment 11 is operatively mounted a supporting frameindicated generally at 24 preferably including a top in the form of aload carrying tray 25.

A novel raising and lowering mechanism indicated generally at 26 ispreferably removably mounted within the compartment in novel cooperativeassociation with the frame 24 for raising and lowering the frame and theload supported withinrthe frame tray 25.

Links indicated at 27 and 27 areeach pivotally connected at one end withthe door and slot and pivotally connected at the other end with theframe 24 supported on the upper end of the raising and loweringmechanism 26, whereby when the door is raised and lowered the raisingand lowering mechanism 26 will` raise and lower the frame 24 and theload supported thereon in a novel manner, as is hereinafter set forth indetail.

The ccunterbalancing mechanism 22 is preferably combined with the hinge17 and includes a hinge shaft bearing block 28a secured at the rear sideof the fra-me 15, and a hinge shaft bearing block 28E) secured at therear side of the door 16. The bearing block 28h preferably includes alever arm 285-1 extending across and secured to the top plate of thedoor shell 18 for transmitting the raising and lowering torques to thedoor.

Thev bearing blocks 28a and 28h have formed therein aligned boresthrough which extends one end of a hinge and counterbalancing shaft 29,which is journalled in the bore of the bearing block 28a, and is securedto the bearing block 28h for transmitting torque therethrough and to thedoor 16.

The outer end of the shaft 29 extends through a suitable opening intothe enclosure 23 and preferably through a journal bore formed in abearing bar 30 secured within and upon the enclosure 23.

end of the shaft 29 within the enclosure 23 and is meshed with-asegmental gear member 32 which is journalled on a stub shaft 33 carriedupon the bearing bar 30.

A vcounterbalancing mass supporting lever 34 is secured at its inner endto one side of the segmental gear member 32 and extends outwardlytherefrom and a counterbalancing mass 35 is carried at the outer end ofthe lever 34 as by means of a pivot pin 36.

The counterbalancing mechanism 21' is similarly combined with the'hinge17 and includes parts similarly arranged within the enclosure 23 at theother end of the safe.

As aforesaid the supporting frame 24 preferably includes a top in theform of a load carrying tray 25, and parallel rails 37 and 37 dependfrom the bottom of the tray 25 and extend longitudinally within thecompartment 11.

The rail 37 rides in grooves 38a and 385 formed, respectively, inexternal peripheries of rollers 39a and 395, which are operative partsof the raising and lowering mechanism 26, and the rail 37 rides ingrooves 38a and 38b formed, re-

, outer ends thereof.

The shaft 42a is preferably parallel to the shaft 40o, and the outerends of the shaft 42a are journalled, respectively, adjacent one end ofthe com- A segmental gear 31 is secured upon the outer partment, inspaced longitudinally extending base` members 43 and 43 of the raisingand lowering mechanism 26.

Similarly the rollers 39h and 395 .are'preferably mounted adjacentopposite ends of a shaft 4Gb which is preferably horizontal and extendsfrom front to rear of the safe'cornpartment, and

which is journalled at its outer ends, respective- K ly, in suitablebearing bores formed in the upper ends of arms 41h and 41'5, and thelower ends of the arms 41h and 415 are secured to a shaft 425 adjacentthe. outer ends thereof.

1,934,272 The shaft 4225 is preferably parallel to theshaft 4Gb and theouter ends of the shaft 42h are journalled, respectively, adjacent theother end of the compartment, in the spaced longitudinally extendingbase members 43 and 43.

Accordingly the rollers 39a and 39a may be raised and lowered byrotation of the arms 41a and 41a with the shaft 42a;

Similarly the rollers 39h and 39'b may be raised and lowered by rotationof the arms 412)' and 41b with the shaft 42h.

The base members 43 and 43 comprise parts of an elevator frame indicatedgenerally at 44 in which the moving members of the raising and loweringor elevator mechanism 26l are operatively mounted, and the elevatorframe 44 is vbodily removable from the compartment l1 for facilitatingproduction and maintenance of the safe.

When the set of arms 41a. and 41a and the set of arms 41o and 41b are intheir lowermost positions as illustrated in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3, the setof rollers 39a and 39a is positioned closest they adjacent end wall ofthe compartment, and the opposite set of rollers 39h and 39b ispositioned closest the other end wall of the compartment, adjacentthereto.

Controlling means indicated generally at 45 and 45 are provided forcausing the set of arms 41a and 4l'a and the opposite set of arms 41hand 41b to rotate up and down, respectively, about the axes of theshafts 42a and 42h, simultaneously and with uniform velocity, formaintaining the upper surfaces of the set of rollers 39a and 39'a in thesame horizontal plane with the upper surfaces of the rollers 39h and39'b, in the grooves of-which, as aforesaid, the rails 37 and 37 ride,and whereby the frame 24 is raised and lowered and maintained in ahorizontal position by rolling of the rollers longitudinally on therails. 5

The controlling means 45 may include a bracket 46 located midway betweenthe ends of the elevator frame 44 and secured to the base member 43.

At the upper end of the bracket 46 a shaft bolt 47 is mounted, and anarm 48 is pivotally mounted at its mid point on the shaft bolt 47, andone end of the arm 48 is pivotally connected to one end of a controllink 49a, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the outer endof a control crank 50a secured to the shaft 42a.

The opposite end of the arm 48 is pivotally connected to one end of acontrol link 49D, the other end of which is pivotally connected to theouter end of a control crank 50h secured to the shaft 4217.

Similarly the control means 45 may include a bracketl 46 located midwaybetween the ends of the elevator frame 44 and secured to the base member43.

At the upper end of the bracket 46 a shaft bolt 47 is mounted, and anarm 48 is pivotally mounted at its mid point on the shaft bolt 47', andone end of the arm 48 is pivotally connected to one end of a controllink 49a, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the outer endof a control crank 50a secured to the shaft 42a.

The opposite end of the arm 48 is pivotally connected to one end of acontrol link 49b, the other end of which is pivotally connected to theouter end of a control crank 50b secured to the shaft 42h.

The lengths and positions of the relative members of the control means45 and 45', are equal and similar, and accordingly the set of arms 41aand 41'a, and the set of arms 41h and 41'?) will raise and-'lowersimultaneously with' eachother andl will maintain the uppersurfacesof-rollers" carried thereon inthe same horizontal plane.

The raising and lowering or elevator mechanism 26 isfpreferabl'yprovided with a'plurality 80 of successively operating motor means forro-` tating the sets of` arms 41a and 41a, and'v 411)-y and 41b, andsuchmotor means are preferably inthe form of a plurality of sets of one ormore successively energized and deenergizing springs.

One set of the motor springs `includes the helical tension springs 51each connected, respectively, at one end to a horizontal bar 52aextending from front to rear of the compartment l1, andl the ends of thebar 52a are preferably adjustably mountedin one set of a plurality ofsets of Y oppositely positioned apertures 53- formedfin plates 53a and53'a secured, respectively, 'adjacent the ends of the shaft 42a.

Similarly each-opposite endof the spring-51 is connected to a horizontalbar 5212 extending from front'to rear of the compartment l1, andV theends of the bar 52h are preferably adjustablyv mounted in one set of aplurality of sets of oppositely positioned apertures 53 formed in plates53h and 53'b secured, respectively, adjacentthe ends of the shaft 42h.

The distance between'the bars 52d-an`da52b is preferably adjusted'sothat the set of springs 5l are operative to rotate the shafts 42d and4217 10555 towards each other at all positions of the frame 24;

For applying an initial starting torque to the shafts 42a and 4227Vgreater than that applied by the springs 51 and 51? a'helicaltensionVspring 55 vis connected at its ends Ato the-bars 52a and `110iy 52o,and the spring 55 is of such length that it` is energized and operativelonly during arp'ortionl of the lowermost up and down movement of theframe24. Y

For limiting the upward and downward movement of the opposite sets ofarms 41a'I and 41'a, and 41h and 4l'b, a stop bar 56 extendslongitudinally in the compartment between the front and rear thereof,and at one end thereof a slot connection is made between the bar 56 andthe shaft 40a as by means of a bent strap 57a having its central portionspaced below the bar 56 and having its end portions bent towards the bar56 and secured thereto, and the shaft 40a extending between the centralportion of the strap 57a and the bar 56, and being limited in itsmovement towards and from the adjacent end of the compartment by the endportions of the strap 57a.

Similarly at the other end of the bar 56 a slot connection is madebetween the bar 56 and the shaft 40h as by means of a bent strap 57bhaving its central portion spaced below the bar 56 and having its endportions bent towards the bar 56 and secured thereto, and the shaft 4Gb135 Y extending between the central portion of the strap 57h and the bar56, and being limitedin its movementV towards and from the adjacent endof the compartment by the end portions of the strap 57h.

Means are provided for vertically guiding the frame 24 during itsmovements up and down in the compartment 11, and the vertical guidingmeans preferably include a bracket 6l secured at each corner of theframe 24, and a roller 62 145- is journalled in each bracket forrotation about a horizontal axis, and for rolling against an end memberof the elevator frame 44.

The load carrying tray 25 preferably has mounted therein a'plurality ofboxes 63 of one 1507j size andboxes 64 of anotherv size, and customerledger cards 65 or the like of one size areV cary. ried in the boxes 63,and cards 66or they like f ment 10 with the exception that thecounterbalancing of the door 116 is attained by a separatecounterbalancing mechanism indicated generally at 118 which is connectedwiththe door 116 independent of the hinges 117 and 117'.

In the embodiment 110 a removable roller table` 170a is also illustratedwhich is arranged for rolling on the upper ends of the compartment whenthe safe is open as illustrated in Fig. 9 for providing a convenienttable upon which to lay the cards. l l

I claim: Y

VLllpparatus, for use as anv upwardly opening heat resisting safe andthe like,V including heat resisting walls lforming a protectivecompartment, one of the walls'rfacing upwardly and having an upwardlyopening doorway formed therein, a door, a shaft journalled on one of thecompartment walls and secured to the door for hinge swinging the doorupwards and downwards from and to closing position in the doorway, andcounterbalancing means operatively connected with the shaft.

2. Apparatus, for use as an upwardly opening heat resisting-safe and thelike, including heat resisting walls forming a protective compartment,one of the walls facing upwardly and having an upwardly opening doorwayformed therein, a heat resisting door,v a shaft journalled on one of thecompartment walls and secured to the door for hinge swinging the doorupwards and downwards from and to closing position in the doorway, andcounterbalancing means'operatively connected with the shaft. v

3. In a safe, a load carrying frame and elevator mechanism supportingsaid frame, said elevator mechanism including a plurality ofsuccessively energizing and cle-energizing springs arranged for beingenergized by lowering of the frame and for de-energizing to raise theframe.

4. An upwardly opening safe comprising heat resisting Walls forming aprotective compartment, one of the walls facing upwardly and having anupwardly opening doorway formed therein, ardoor movable into and out ofsaid door opening, counterbalancing means operatively connected withsaid door, and a load carrying frame disposed within the protectivecompartment and co-operating with said counterbalancing` means tocounterbalancesaid door.

5. An upwardly opening safe comprising heat resisting walls forming aprotective compartment,one of the walls facing upwardly and having anupwardly opening doorway formed therein, a door, ashaft journaled by oneof said walls andY secured to the door for hinge swinging the doorupwards and downwards from and to closing position in the doorway,counterbalancing means operatively connected with the shaft, and l aload carrying frame disposed within the protective compartment andco-operating withsaid counterbalancing means to counterbalance saiddoor. v

WILLIAM C. MILLER.

